Initiative to give free gardening advice, products and tools to ‘Help your community grow’ in Swansea

Dobbies is calling on community groups within 20 miles of their Swansea store to get in touch.

Whether its a school allotment project that allows kids to learn about the health and environmental benefits of growing fruit and vegetables; a community garden or space looking to bring the outside in; or a charity looking to create a sensory garden to encourage everyone outdoors – Dobbies will be choosing a lucky community group to get free gardening products, support and expertise from its team.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “Community is at the heart of what we do at Dobbies and we’re proud to be bringing back Helping your Community Grow for its 13th year.

“As we’re committed to environmentally-friendly practices, we’re especially interested in hearing from projects in Swansea with sustainability at their core. As always, our teams will share their expertise, products and practices to ensure an eco-friendly approach.”

Eligible groups must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Swansea store. A shortlist of community groups for each store will be made and Dobbies will call on members of the public to vote for their favourite project.

Based on the public vote, there will be one winner per store, with the project receiving the most votes securing the national winner title. They will receive additional funding and support.

In addition to Helping Your Community Grow, Dobbies say there will be further opportunities for community groups looking for support, with small grants available from their nearest store.

Last year’s Swansea store winner was Cwmafan Community Orchard who operate a sustainable space where residents of all ages or abilities can come together and get involved in helping this green space bloom. Dobbies’ help provided the group with sustainable products such as peat-free compost, in addition to essential trees, tree stakes and guards to help the project flourish.

Community groups can apply through Dobbies’ Helping Your Community Grow website. The closing date for all entries is 27 March 2023.

(Lead image: Jeff Holmes)